President Donald J. Trump said today that Ukraine should stop striking Russian oil refineries and diesel infrastructure, arguing that the attacks are contributing to a global diesel shortage. He specifically told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russia’s diesel supply, while saying the resulting fuel shortage is pushing U.S. diesel prices above $6 a gallon. Russia has restricted diesel exports while Ukrainian strikes have taken Russian refining capacity offline. At the same time, the war in the Middle East has disrupted oil exports from the Gulf, while the Strait of Hormuz disruption has sharply reduced the availability of Middle Eastern refined fuels. Global refining capacity is also running with limited spare capacity. The result is competition for a shrinking pool of diesel. Europe is pulling more supplies from the U.S. and other alternative suppliers as Russian and Middle Eastern exports decline, while U.S. diesel inventories are unusually low heading into the fall and winter demand period. EIA says global distillate production is expected to remain below last year's levels in the coming months.

Footage of a Ukrainian HIMARS dropping a GMLRS-AW rocket on a Russian 9A316 TEL from a Buk SAM, causing an immediate missile cookoff.

While in Dublin, Ireland, U.S. President Donald J. Trump told reporters that the Houthis have been in contact with his administration and urged the U.S. not to get involved, further saying that they have let the majority of ships through, save Saudi vessels.

The Saudi Arabian General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued a warning for potential danger in the Sharurah Governorate.

The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. officials have linked high resolution satellite imagery obtained by Iran from Chinese entities to the July 17 Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops and wounded several others. The below video from Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base first surfaced within hours of the attack. The officials did not identify the Chinese entities or allege that the Chinese government was directly involved. They say Iran obtained imagery both before and after the attack, and that the finding is the clearest evidence so far of Chinese support having lethal consequences for U.S. forces. China has rejected the allegations and demanded proof. The report also says that U.S. officials are also concerned Chinese assistance could be helping Iran track American naval forces. That concern comes as Iran's ability to target moving U.S. warships has appeared to improve during recent attacks. The Trump administration has previously sanctioned Chinese satellite companies over imagery it said could be used to target U.S. forces. The latest finding comes ahead of a planned Sept. 24 meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

CNN reports that the United States has expanded intelligence and targeting support for Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. More than 100 U.S. military personnel are reportedly dedicated to the effort, with one U.S. official putting the number at roughly 200. They are operating as part of a newly established joint forces command. The United States is providing intelligence sharing and geospatial targeting support, including a battlefield system that gives Saudi officers a near-real-time view of the battlespace. However, U.S. personnel are not directly participating in Saudi airstrikes, refueling Saudi aircraft, or providing other operational support. Sources described the expanded assistance as an extension of existing U.S.-Saudi military cooperation and training. The support comes as Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia intensify, with U.S. officials saying Iran is providing substantial assistance to the group. CNN reports that U.S. officials believe hundreds of IRGC personnel are currently in Yemen and are helping the Houthis develop capabilities to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of bills into law Thursday to strengthen protections for children on social media and when using artificial intelligence, including safeguards for companion chatbots, a ban on certain addictive features for users under 16 and expanded privacy protections for children, according to Newsom’s office. (KTLA)

Russia’s Saratov oil refinery is heavily ablaze tonight after a series of Ukrainian attack drone strikes.

Trump says he will issue a $5,000 dividend to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate in November.

According to the Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter, the U.S. has told its European partners that CIA Director John Ratcliffe will played a larger role in future trilateral Ukraine-U.S.-Russia negotiations, that have largely stalled up until now. Per the report, the Trump administration is considering easing up on the involvement of White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and White House Envoy Jared Kushner, but Witkoff would stay in the wider role as an envoy for peace missions elsewhere. Another venture also being mulled by the White House is appointing a new ambassador to Moscow. This comes following the recent visit of Witkoff and Kushner to Russia, a visit that merited little.